Ventilator structure



Aug. 14, 1956 L. SMITH VENTILATOR STRUCTURE Filed Feb. l0,

wd @ya w TZ Mm/M me l P 1w d [y B ilnited States Patent YENTlLATOR STRUCTURE Lester L. Smith, Peoria, lil. Application February 10, 1955, Serial No. 487,238

7 Claims. (Cl. 98-121) This invention relates to ventilator structures, and more particularly to such structures of the louver type in which the louver slats and their supporting frame are fabricated from a plurality of strip-like elements made of sheet metal.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved louver-type ventilator embodying an assembly of striplike parts which together afford a series of louver slats held together and reinforced by a fabricated peripheral frame to provide a strong and relatively rigid ventilator structure for use in building walls, gables and the like, where ventilation is to be provided along with protection from various weather conditions such as rain, snow, sleet and the like.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a ventilator structure of the louver type which aifords adequate protection against adverse weather conditions as a result of effective shielding of theventilator apertures, and which is characterized by the provision of a relatively rigid and strong panel-type structure as a result of the relationships of parts as they are embodiedin my ventilator structure.

As another object, my invention comprehends the provision of a ventilator structure which is economical to manufacture due to the design of the parts and the employment of fabrication in which metal strip-like parts are utilized; such economies resulting from easier and faster forming of the ventilator parts, the need for only relatively inexpensive dies and tools for fabricating and assembling the parts, and the minimizing of waste or scrap material.

The invention has for another object the provision of a ventilator structure which lends itself to considerable exibility in design and fabrication with respect to the number and size of louvers which are incorporated in a ventilator structure, as well as in the degree of protection afforded by the ventilator as a result of the size and shielding of the ventilator apertures.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a ventilator structure of the type to which reference has been made and in which a screen for protectionagainst insects, rodents, and the like is conveniently utilized and made an integral part of the ventilator structure.

My invention has for a further object the provision of a ventilator structure embodying a number of individual louver slats in which the slats are held in a fixed position with respect to one another by a reinforcing frame and by an adhesive utilized in the assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the' following description and the accompanying drawing in which-similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a ventilator structure embodying my invention, and wherein portions of the structure are cut away to show the arrangement and relationships of various of the ventilator parts;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the ventilator structure illustrated `in Fig. l, and further shows the arrangement and relationships of the ventilator parts;

Pig. 3 is a perspective view of an individual louver slat of the type utilized in the ventilator structure depicted in Figs. l and 2; y f l Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on a line 4 4 of Fig. l, in the direction ofthe arrows, and shows in detail the relationshipof the ventilator apertures to the covering portions of the louver slats; n Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on a line 5-5 of Fig. l, in the direction of the arrows, and depicts the arrangement of various ventilator `parts along one side of the ventilator structure; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substan-y` tially on a line 6--6 of Fig. l, inthe direction of the arrows, and illustrates the manner of engagement of certain of the bottom elements of my ventilator structure.

Having reference to the accompanying drawing wherein an exemplary embodiment of my invention is disclosed for illustrative purposes, and referring particularly to Fig. l, my disclosed ventilator structure 1@ has a rectangular frame 11 supporting a plurality of louver slats 12 in overlapping relationship. ,'lhe frame `includes a pair of side members 13 disposed generally in parallel relationship to each other and overlapping opposed end f marginal portions of the louver slats 12 to support the louver slats therebetween. Engaging the ends of the side members 13 and extending in substantially perpendicular relationship thereto are a top end member 14 and a bottom end member 16. The end members 14 and 16 overlap the louver slats 12 andare of corresponding length. The ventilator structure 10y may include'a protective screen 17 engaged with and supported by the ventilator frame 11.

The rectangular ventilator frame 11 is fabricated of a metal such as aluminum, steel, or thek like to provide a strong and relatively rigid support for the louver slats 12, and may be made in predetermined sizes suitable for use. in building walls, gables, or other structures where ventilation is desired. The side'members 1,3 of the ventilator frame are made from metal strip stock, the metal strips being folded lengthwise into a substantially U- shaped section. As shown in detail in FigS,y the U- shaped fold of the side members provides'a pair of flanges 18 and 19 defining therebetween a channel opening along one edge and extending longitudinally of the side members and facing inwardly of the ventilator frame 11. The flanges 18 and 19 are of approximately equal width and are spaced slightly from each other to enable the channels to receive other parts of the ventilator structure 10. The side members 13 are cutpto suitable length according to the desired vertical dimension of the ventilator structure 1l).

The top and bottom end members 14 and 16 are similarly made from metal strip stock, the metal strips in this instance being folded lengthwise into a J-shaped section. As shown in Fig. 6, the J-shaped fold ofl each of the end frame members provides a pair of opposed anges 21 and 22 which define therebetween a channeltype opening extending lengthwise of the end member and facing inwardly of the ventilator frame. The Wider fold flange 22, in the disclosed structure, has a width substantially equal to that of a louver slat 12 to provide an overlap of the end member with its adjacent louver slat which corresponds generally to the overlap of adjacent louver slats and to provide a suitable margin surrounding the louver openings for mounting purposes.

The narrower flange 21 is slightly spaced from the flange 22 to provide space inthe fold opening for receiving portions of the side members 13 and the protective screen 17. The length of the end members 14 and 16 is determined by the desired length of the louvers and the side marginal space.' at the ends of the louvers. lnasmuch as the ventilator frame members are fabricated from strip stock, the forrnirigoper'ation is relatively simple, in that it is necessary only to fold' the metal strip as has been described and to cut the strip into the desired lengths. By using stock ofthe proper width, waste of material is practically avoided.

The louver slats 12 may be made from metal strip stock, but are preferably made without material waste oi material by punching and forming the louvers in sheet stock and then separating the slats by a cutting operation, and comprise frame areas 23 on each end of the louver slat and a die formed louver portion 24 between the frame areas. The louver portion adjoins one edge of theslat and projects outwardly from one face of the slat, so as to define a louver opening 26 along the lower edge of the louver slat 12 which is covered or shielded by the louver. The width of the louver portion 24 `is less than that of the louver slat 12, so that a flat marginal portion 27 is provided above the louver portion for placement in overlapping and opposed relationship to the lower margin of an adjacent slat in an assembly of louver slats, as shown in Fig. 4. The frame areas 23 are of suitable dimensions to be received within the fold channels of each of the side frame members 13 for engagement of the louver slat 12 with the ventilator frame 11. The louver portion 24 is stiiened by the inclusion of one or more formed beads 28 which extend longitudinally of the louvers near the lower edge thereof, such beads being most desirably used along the straight mid-portions of each louver.

The ventilator structure is assembled by positioning the louver slats 12 in substantially parallel and overlapping relationship with each other as shown in Fig. l. The flat marginal portion 27 of each louver slat extends screen mesh and tightly adheres the screen to the louver slats andthe frame members. An adhesive suitable for this purpose is a waterproof synthetic base cement.

In the ventilator structure 10, as illustrated in the drawing, the ventilator openings 31 are shielded not only from above but also from in front of the apertures as a result of the overlapping relationship of the flat marginal portions 27 with the louver portions 24. This particular advantage results from the use of individual louver slats in overlapping relationship, so that the marginal portion 27 of each of the louver slats extends upwardly to a position above the lower edge of the adjacent louver portions. Not only does the overlapping arrangement provide very desirable shielding of the front and top of each of the ventilator apertures, but it also enables the predetermination or preselection of the size of the ventilator openings by the determination of the amount of overlap of the louver slats.

The double thickness of the individual frame members whichl is utilized to provide the longitudinal slat receiving channels and the additional thicknesses at the positions of engagement of the ventilator parts insures that adequate strength and rigidity is provided at the periphery of the ventilator structure for ease of handling and secure mounting in building walls, gables, and other supporting structures where ventilation is' desired.

While l have illustrated a preferred embodiment of y my inventionmany modifications may be made without upwardly and into overlapping relationship with the t louver 26 of the adjacent and next higher louver Slat, so that the ilange 27 limits the opening at each louver by defining the bottom edge of a ventilator opening 31 between two adjacent louver slats. The frame areas 23 of each of the louver slats 12 are received within the channels and engaged by the flanges 18` and y19 of the side members 13. Top and bottom end members 14 and 16 are assembled in overlapping relationship with the louver slats 12, with the wide flange portion 22 of each of such end frame members 14 and 16 being received within the channel and engaged by the anges of the side members 13. The narrow flange 21 of each of the end frame members is folded into gripping engagement with the rear flanges 18 of each of the side members 13.

The protective screen 17 is applied to the rear surface of the ventilator structure, that is, the side opposite the projecting louver portions 24, the margins of the screen being received beneath and engaged by the flanges 1S and 21 `of the side and end frame members. After assembly of the ventilator parts, the tianges of the frame members are pressed together to insure firm and tight engagement of the members to each other and to the louver slats 12. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the various parts of the ventilator structure received within the channels of the frame members are tightly held together so that there is no slippage or displacement of the parts.

To further insure that the louver slats 12 remain in fixed position within the louver frame 11, an adhesive may be applied to the inner surfaces of the flanges of the side frame members and to theframe areas 23 of each of the louver slats 12. The use of an adhesive insures maintenance of the louver slats in their parallel and overlapping relationship and increases the gripping action of l the ventilator frame. The anchoring effects of such an adhesive are further enhanced where the protective screen 17 is incorporated within the ventilator structure 10, because the adhesive becomes imbedded within the departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited tothe precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within Vthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A ventilator structure comprising, in combination, a pair of side frame members made from strip stock and disposed in substantially parallel and spaced relationship to eachl other, said side frame members each being folded to provide a substantially U-shaped cross section having two flanges dening therebetween a longitudinal channel, a pair of end frame members made of strip stock and disposed in substantially parallel and spaced relationship to each other, said end frame members each being folded to provide a substantially J-shaped cross section having a wide flange and a narrow iiange defining therebetween a longitudinal channel, said end' frame members each having end portions engaged with end portions of each of said side frame members to form a rectangular ventilator frame with the channels of said frame members opening inwardly of the frame, and a plurality of louver slats having end marginal portions disposed within the channels of said side frame members and extending across said ventilator'frame in parallel and overlapping relationship to each other and to adjacent end frame members, each of said end frame members having its wide flange disposed within the channel of each of said side frame members and' having its narrow flange foldedy over and in gripping engagement with one of the flanges of each of said side frame members.

2. A ventilator structure as defined in claim 1, and further characterized by a screen of substantially the size of said ventilator frame, and said screen being gripped within the channels of said frame members in the assembly of the ventilator structure.

3. A ventilator structure as defined in claim l, and further characterized by an adhesive applied within the channels of said frame members and adhering said louver slats in iixed position with` respect to said ventilator frame.

4. A ventilator structure comprising, in combination, a pair of side frame members in substantially parallel and spaced relationship to each other, said sidey frame members, each being folded longitudinally to provide a substantially U-shaped cross section having two ilanges detiming therebetween a longitudinal channel, a top end frame member and a bottom end frame member in substantially parallel and spaced relationship to each other, said end frame members each being folded longitudinally to provide a substantially J-shaped cross section having a wide flange and a narrow liange dening therebetween a longitudinal channel, said end frame members each being engaged with each of said side frame members to form a rectangular ventilator frame with the channels of said frame members opening inwardly of said ventilator frame, and a plurality of louver slats each having a marginal area on each end thereof for engagement between the anges of said side frame members and having a formed louver portion between said end marginal areas thereof, said louver slats having their ends disposed within the channels of said side frame members and extending across the ventilator frame n parallel and overlapping relationship to each other and to adjacent end `Frame members, said top end frame member and sai-d bottom end frame member each having its wide flange gripped within the channel of each of said side members and having its narrow ange overlying and engaging one of the flanges of each of said side frame members to provide a relatively rigid ventilator frame supporting said louver slats.

5. A ventilator structure as defined in claim 4 and in which said louver slats each have a stiffening rib extendingr at least partially along the length of said formed louver portion.

6. A ventilator structure as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by a screen of substantially the size of said ventilator frame, an-d said screen being gripped within the channels of said frame members and against said louver slats in back of said formed louver portions in the assembled relationship thereof.

7. A ventilator structure comprising, in combination, a

pair of side frame members in substantially parallel and spaced relationship to each other, said side frame members each being folded longitudinally to provide two flanges defining therebetween a longitudinal channel, a top end frame member and a bottom end frame member in substantially parallel and spaced relationship to each other, said end frame members each being folded longitudinally to provi-de anges defining therebetween a longitudinal channel, said end frame members each being engaged with each of said side frame members to form 'a rectangular ventilator frame with the channels of said frame members opening inwardly of said ventilator frame, and a plurality of louver slats each having a marginal area on each end thereof for engagement between the anges of said side frame members and having a formed louver portion between said end marginal areas thereof, said louver slats having their ends disposed within the, channels of said side frame members and extending across the ventilator frame in parallel and overlapping relationship to each other and to adjacent end frame members, said top end frame member and said bottom end frame member each having one liange gripped within the channel of each of said side members and having its other flange overlying and engaging one of the flanges of each of said side frame members to provide a relatively rigid ventilator frame supporting said louver slats.

References Cited in the rile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,531,197 Lane Mar, 24, 1925 2,663,246 Smith Dec. 22, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 570,963 Great Britain July 3l, 1945 

